DA to speak at Let’s Talk Tulsa: Public Safety

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler will join the presenters this Tuesday evening April 21, at the LaFortune Clubhouse Grill 5501 South Yale on the topic of public safety in Tulsa.

This meeting will not focus on the recent tragedy resulting in a second-degree manslaughter charge against Tulsa County Reserve Deputy Robert Charles Bates, 73, in the shooting death of Eric Courtney Harris, 44. This public presentation will focus on the mission and functionality of; law enforcement, prosecution and public perceptions of safety and crime prevention. Because his office will prosecute the charges against Reserve Deputy Bates; Kunzweiler is prevented from speaking on that topic.

Recently elected as District Attorney, Kunzweiler is a 25-year career prosecutor. His declared priority is public safety, the prosecution of violent criminals and protection of our most vulnerable children and elderly citizens who often cannot protect themselves. Crime prevention is also a goal of Kunzweiler’s office with a focus on early intervention with children to reduce child abuse and juvenile delinquency.

TPD Chief Chuck Jordan

Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan was appointed as the 39th Chief of the Tulsa Police Department (TPD) by Mayor Dewey Bartlett on November 12, 2010.

Oklahoma State FOP President Ron Bartmier will offer a broad view of enforcement challenges and opportunities statewide. Bartmier retired from active duty Dec 31, 2010 after having worked on the Tulsa Police Department for 34 1/2 years.  He is in his 11th year serving as the President for the Oklahoma State Fraternal Order of Police.

Ron Bartmier

In this position Bartmier deals with many of the labor and legislative issues that affect the 6,000 members he represents and works to create better pay and benefits for these officers while pushing to create more professionalism within law enforcement agencies.

Jessica Caswell will speak as the granddaughter, daughter and sister of police officers and the daughter of an Assistant District Attorney and former District Judge. Caswell developed the Public Relations campaign, "Back the Blue, We Back You" and reminds us of what officers and their families carry on their minds and hearts throughout their careers.

Jessica Caswell

The meeting begins at 7 pm with dinner at 6:30pm. Arrive early for the best seats and please confirm if you will join us for dinner.

This month, Chef Roberto will prepare a grilled chicken salad bar with mixed greens and your choice of toppings: cold peas, cold kidney beans, bacon bits, shredded cheddar, diced ham and a choice of salad dressings including Ranch, Italian, honey mustard or a Raspberry Vinaigrette.

The meeting is free and open to the public, but dinner cost $15 per person. Please let us know if you plan to join us for dinner by email to editor@tulsatoday.com. Seating is limited.

Hope to see you then.